Folding table



Jan. 1, 1929.

- 1,697,559 c. E. FIELDS FOLDING TABLE Filed April 2. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 1, 1929. '1,697,559

C. E. FIELDS FOLDING TABLE Filed Apr'l 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CII Patented `lan., ,1, .1929.

CHARLES EDwiN EiELDs, 0E PORTLAND, MAINE, VAssicrNoR"ro, '.riiitE. 'i'. BuRRowE's coNPf-iNY,` or PORTLAND, iaiiiNE, A conPonATioN 0E MAINE.

FOLDNG TABLE.

Application filed Apr-i1 2, 1926. ASerial 4No. 99,238. v

This invention relates to improvements in light, portable, folding tables of the type commonly employed for card tables and like purposes.

vThe object of the invention is lto provide improved leg attac-hing and top supporting means for tables of the kind referred to whereby efficient pivotal connections for the legs are afforded and a simple, strong, firm construction is providedwhich can be veasily assembled and can be produced at low cost.

. The invention, with other objects and ad-,

. vantages thereof, and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising Ithe same, willbe under;

stood from the hereinafter vcontained detail porting and reinforcingineans constructed in accordance with the present invention, the legs being in folded position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, the legs being unfolded.

Figure 3 is a 'detail section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

rI'he invention comprehends improved leg attaching and top supporting means comprising a fastening member extending from the top support-ing frame inwardly thereof and forming a pivot for one of the legs an(l also engaging an end portion of a cleat or reinforcing strip of the top and serving to hold the same in position to support the top. More particularly the invention contemplates iinproved leg attaching and top supporting means comprising a bolt extending through -an opening in t-he top supporting frame inwardly of the frame to form a. pivot for a leg and overlapping an end portion of a cleat of the top, said means also including a nut4 on the bolt intermediate the ends thereof to maint-ain the leg in position on the bolt. Y

While a specificl embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, it will of course be understood that minor changes and variations may be made in the particular construction shown, and the invention embodied in other forms, as will appeal to those skilled tively light thin top 'of paper board'or the like secured to the top lsupporting frame in:

any suitable'way. The top 2 is provided with reinforcing strips or cleats 8 secured thereto at the under side thereof in any suitable manner, as by gluing, said reinforcing str-ips or cleats extending .diagonally within the top supporting frame, the ends 'of the cleats lying adjacent the corners `of t-he frame. 4 designates the legs pivoted to the top supporting frame adjacent corner portions thereof to fol-d wit-hin the same substantially parallel with and close to the sides of the fraine, as shown in Figure l of the drawings.v 5 and 6 are setsof b-racesfo'r the legs 4;. n The improved leg attaching and top sup` .porting means provided in accordance with the present invention ycomprises fastening members in the form of bolts 7 or the like eX- tending from the top supporting frame adjacent corner portions thereof inwardly within the same, said bolts 7 being of a length to form pivots forthe legs i and to engageor interiit with an end portion of one of the cleats or reinforcing strips 3 to hold the same in place to support ,ther

top 2. Each of the bolts 7, which extend inwardly through openings in the support ing frame, have a smooth portion?"il to endiate threaded portion 7b, a nut 7d to engage said threaded portion to retain the leg in `po-v sition on the bolt, and an outer end portione to engage an end portion of oneof the cleats 3. ln the particular construction shown, the end portions 7@ of the bolts extend in inteiiitting overlapping relation with end portions of the cleats 3 at the under side thereof, the bolts 7 forming pivots for the legs and also acting to hold the cleats or reinforcing strips 3 in position to firmly support thetop 2 inwardly of the top supporting frame. Each of the bolts 7 is provided with means to engage the frame and prevent turning of 'the same in the bolt opening. For this purpose, in the c ao gage the pivot opening in the leg, an inteiincconstruction shown, each bolt 7 is provided with a square shoulder porton 7g adjacent its head. i

` It will be noted that the particular leg attaching and top supporting means, hereinbe- A duced at low cost. y Y

VThat I claim is:

l. A folding table of the class described, includinga top, a rectangular shaped frame supporting the top, reinforcing strips secured to the top and extending diagonaliy thereof within the supporting frame, legs pivoted to the frame adjacent the corners thereof to fold within the same, and bolts or the like, engaging openings inthe top supporting frame adjacent the corners thereof and extending lwithin the saine, said bolts or fthe like forming pivots for the legs, means on the bolts intermediate the ends'thereof to maintain the legs in position,A and each ofV said bolts having ank end portion extending in overlapping and abutting relation with an end portion of one of the reinforcing strips at the under side thereof.

2. A folding table of the class described,v including a top, va rectangular shaped frame supporting the top, .reinforcing stripsl se cured to the top and extending diagonally thereof within the supporting frame, legs pivoted to the frame adjacent the corners thereof to fold within thepsarne, and bolts engaging openings in the top supporting frame ladjacent the corners thereof and extending within the same, said ybolts forming pivots for the legs, and nuts on the bolts intermediate the ends thereof to maintain the legs in position, and each of said bolts having an end portion extending in overlappng and abutting relation with an end portion of one of the reinforcing strips.

3. A table including a top, a frame for supporting the top, a reinforcing strip for the top secured thereto and extending across the same inwardly'of the 'top supporting frame, legs pivoted to the top supporting frame to fold within the saine,and leg attaching and top supporting means comprisinga bolt or the like engaging an opening in the top supporting frame and supported by said frame, said bolt extending inwardly ofthe frame through an opening in one of the legs and fornnng a pivot therefor, and said Vbolt having its inner end portion extending in overlapping and abutting relation with an ,end-portion of the reinforcing strip to sup- ,port the top inwardly of the frame, said bolt constituting a supporting connection vbetween the franieand said reinforcing strip.

In testimony whereof I signature.

CHARLES EDWIN FIELDs liereunto a'liix 'my 

